I think logos + anything that is attributed to your website, image, business, or persona should be top notch for what you're doing.

Not all magicians are web designers and graphic artists. I, myself have nine years of IT training / education (highschool, trade school, and college). I took the dive of designing my own site back when geocities was still around in 2002. Then I continued to build code on top of everything. Finally I imported it to Yahoo's professional web hosting service.

I also have done all my content and artwork (including main logo, header, media, video editing, and maintaining my ftp server with all my videos).

I am always updating my site every 2 months or so. I'm also currently in the process of converting the entire site to flash. That's a whole extra site in itself. I'm pretty happy with my site right now. It loads quickly, looks organized, and is very user-friendly. I also have all bookings go straight to Gigmasters.

Bottom line - If you don't think you have the tools to get something to look nice for your hard earned business, then you should definitely leave it to the pros to help you out. That's why we have these services available to us.

Also, I've designed a nearby restaurant's site too. http://www.EaglesNestYork.com

Just my 2 cents

Happy Monday everyone!

I participated in this thread a while back and finally got around to taking some of the advice offered.

Admittedly, art and logo design are NOT my strengths. However, when you put together an enthusiastic learner and the incredible advancement of computer technology, this is what I came up with.

I’d be grateful if you could continue my education and critique my logo. Thank you.

FYI I used software called, ‘My Logo Maker’ I bought it at Staples for about $60.

Click here to view attached image.

Hi Ken,

Glad you took some advice here and also posted your logo/card design. As you know, I have to always be 100% dead honest. It is the only way I can be. Ifs this the worse logo I have seen...certainly not. however, is it the best or a good logo as well? I would have to say no. It is an "ok" logo and is certianly better then most. Still not doing some of the things a good logo should do.

First off is that no program form Staples or any other place is going to create a great logo. A program can not handle or create or do what a professional designer can do. Those programs just try and merge clip art like photos together in a what that it looks ok. It is better then nothing, but certainly not what a professional designer can create for you.

a couple things to note:

- the bird has too much dark tone to it. This is creating a "muddy" look cause the ink coverage is too saturated. You are also losing some of the head because of what we call "white on white contrast".

- The wand is ok but it looks really awkward coming off of the stars. in a way the logo looks like 2 separate pieces of art being forced together. You have the star and tyope being one and the bird and wand being the other. They do not flow well together as a unit.

- the gradient in the bacground behind the text is too dark. This makes the type harder to read and can cause problems with the clarity of the logo

- The star for the "I" is too far over the type and should be lifted up and away from it more. This would make it read and play better

- Right now the dove is taking too much control of the logo. You see the dobve first when in reality the text should be the first thing seen in the logo. I see the dobve and my eyes have to work to draw it back to the text.

One thing that can be done is the elements are there for a good logo, but it just needs to be redesigned to work better. I could see the usage of the text treatment and the stars and the dove. however, the layout and the way they come together I would change quite a bit so it reads better as a unit.

Once again, this certainly is not terrible by any means. I have seen far far worse logos. It just is not working for you nearly as well as it could be working. It also can cause you printing problems in the future due to the set up of the colors.

I do hope this helps my friend.

Kyle

Kyle, I prefer honesty. Your comments and suggestions were helpful. I will consider them carefully to see if I can salvage something. Thanks!

My pleasure. I am really glad to see that you have taken what I typed up as food for thought and certainly not a personal attack. Some folks always seem to think that my honesty is an attack against them. In reality, I always just strive to help anyone who seeks the help as you do. =)

As a designer and illustrator by trade, I just am always honest when it comes to evaluating and reviewing design work and print materials. I would rather tell you how to make it work and communicate effectively then try and just say “it sucks” or “it’s great”. Neither of those do anything to help someone.

I do think you have some good elements there and are headed in the right direction with it. It just needs to be refined. =)

Kyle

I agree, that Kyle knows what he is talking about!




R

Thanks. Much appreciated.

Kyle

My logo that you see on my site was purchased from gotlogos.com for $25(If I remember correctly). I just needed something at the time and their turn around time was nothing. Is it the greatest logo? No. But it works for now and is definitely better than nothing!

Kyle, I wouldn't mind a critique from you as well but on the other hand I would like to see what you have done and why you think it would be worth it to pay you to design a logo. I think you have a nice website but honestly I didn't look at your logo and think, "Wow! When can he start?!". I'm certainly not trying to critique your site or your logo but since you started the thread and are offering your services it kind of leaves you open for a little critiquing. I'm sure you can appreciate that

Perhaps you already shared some of your work but I came to this thread a little late so my apologies if you have...